By Michael Goggin, Into the Wind, AWEA Blog
The phrase “garbage in, garbage out” explains that analysis based on flawed input assumptions will result in flawed results and conclusions. A recent textbook example of that comes from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCE) and the special interest group Institute for Energy Research (IER). IER has been down this road before, and once again their analysis isn’t grounded in reality. Renewable energy increasingly saves consumers money even without the federal incentives, which are currently being phased out. The following table uses real-world performance data to calculate the unsubsidized levelized cost for newly installed generation.
Top Image: Interactive map created by researchers at the University of Texas Austin’s Energy Institute. “Check out all the green—that’s where wind is cheapest.” – Michael Goggin
ALSO OF POTENTIAL INTEREST
- New report ranks FPL a national leader in solar energy, PR Newswire
- Florida starts to shine in solar rankings, PV Magazine
The latest report by the SEPA shows the Sunshine State finally living up to its name, with Florida Power & Light, Tampa Electric and Disney’s utility all shooting up in 2018 rankings. - Public power utilities earn top solar rankings, American Public Power Association
- Emerging State Markets Driving Utility-Supply Solar: SEPA, Solar Industry
- Corporate PPA marketplace brings solar power development efficiency, PV Magazine
The LevelTen Marketplace enabled a transaction between Starbucks and three separate wind and solar power developers totaling 146 MW. - Google meets its 100% renewable energy target again, siliconANGLE
- Bank of America Installs Solar Panels on More Than 60 Locations, Including Financial Centers, ATMs and Offices Through Its Onsite Solar Initiative, News Release
- Poudre Valley Electric sets “80 by 2030” carbon free goal, Clean Cooperative
- GE lost billions by ‘misjudging’ renewables: report, France24
As the price of renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar fell in recent years, the Cleveland-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said GE has been left with billions in stranded fossil fuel-related assets as cheaper alternatives curbed industry demand for coal and gas. A global divestment movement is underway calling on pension and hedge funds, among others, to end investment in upstream fossil fuel projects. Hundreds of institutions in control of over $6 trillion in assets have joined the initiative. - GE ‘badly’ misjudged the clean energy transition, costing investors almost $193B: IEFFA, Utility Dive
- Previously Posted: ‘Stranded costs’ mount as coal vanishes from the grid
- Bloomberg commits $500M to phasing out coal, halting new gas plants, Utility Dive
Michael Bloomberg on Friday announced a $500 million investment in a new “Beyond Carbon” campaign that will push to decarbonize the United States’ economy through a range of legal and political strategies. - Meet 9 state regulators who are ‘shaking things up’, E&E News
The shuttering of coal plants, an aggressive push for renewables and the proliferation of electric vehicles are creating a new energy landscape in the United States. Meet the state regulators working on the front lines.
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR
- Should I Replace My Roof Before Going Solar?, Earth 911
- Previously Posted: Boost The Value Of Your Home By Installing Solar, Clean Energy Authority
Virginia students have won the 2019 Solar Decathlon Design Challenge with their treeHAUS highly sustainable solar+storage+trees+food waste+sound and so much more design focused on expanding their local campus’ student housing resources.
Two reports this month provide new details about the impacts of the high wholesale power costs that 
Source: Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
